Need non-toxic shrubs

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I'm looking for shrubs or bushes with year round (with winter interest) that are non toxic, non poisonous, to dogs. Prefer the smaller round shrubs or bushes but open to any ideas at this point. I need them for along the foundation in front of my house. It seems all the evergreens are bad? Help with any ideas please!
I'm in Wisconsin. She eats everything including the grass.

Featured Answer

Sherry8aNorthAL

6 years ago

We, also, have not had a problem with anything for the past 40 to 45 years with any of our dogs. Until now. We have a mix 14 pound MinPin/ Chihuahua/???. When we got him in Spring of 2017, at 5 months, he ate rocks, sticks, berries, worms, and anything else. Take your eye off one second and it was gone. We could not let him in the fenced yard unless he was on a leash.

He is better now, but still eats worms and berries. ANYTHING poisonous, like wild cherry, cherry laurel, privet, etc. has had to be removed from the back yard.

Make SURE you don't have sago palm. Pygmy date palm is okay, as well as many other palms. Oleander is bad. This is a good web site for looking up by common name as well as the real name.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

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Comments (14)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
Need to know where you are and a pic of the area would help. That said, I’ve had dogs and several toxic plants for a few decades now without it being an issue.

tj
Dee thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
Embothrium
6 years ago
If your dogs chew up everything you plant then you can't plant anything where they are whether poisonous or not.
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User
6 years ago
All my dogs have browsed on longer grass, once in a while. None of them, not even the chocolate lab puppy who eats ANYTHING, pays the least bit of attention to shrubs. Or to most flowers.

Still, it's not bad to avoid the most poisonous. But until we know what zone you are in (or what major city are you reasonably close to) there's no point listing shrubs. What grows in Florida wouldn't last in Montana, etc.
Dee thanked User
Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
Wisconsin.
User
6 years ago
Can you fence off an area for shrubs?
Dee thanked User
Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
No, that would not look good at all.
Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
I think the winter interest I want to obtain in severely problematic.
Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
Yews are deadly, boxwoods are dangerous? Any variations of boxwood possible?
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
We’re getting closer...where in Wisconsin, which direction does the house face and how much room do you have?

tj
Dee
Original Author
6 years ago
Ozaukee County - north border of Milwaukee. Planting in 6 ft. deep bed along foundation wall, along predominantly west side of house.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Can you not at least keep the dog out of the front yard? Then you could have an attractive and evergreen approach to your house and not worry about the dog. Or you can try spraying with capsicum (pepper) solution or bitter apple.

I have gardened with dogs all my life and with all manner of toxic plants and completely without issue. I really find questions like these puzzling. None of my dogs has ever shown any interest in eating plants. Is it a behavioral issue? A training issue? Dietary problems? It is not normal canine behavior and I would look to fixing it and then planting whatever you want.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
Dee if small globes are what you seek there are a number of gold or green arborvitae that would wok fine for you.

tj
User
6 years ago
Just for fun, and because I have dogs too, I've been googling dog-safe outdoor plants. Very frustrating as I'm sure you already know. Just one last suggestion from me: reconsider a fence. Green wire on green posts could easily fade into the background of a shrubbery.